Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders Betting Preview

Facing each other for the final time this season, the Anaheim Ducks and the New York Islanders take the ice at the Barclays Center for a West-versus-East tilt. The action will get started at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 21, and it is being televised live on MSG Network.

Anaheim Ducks at New York Islanders Odds

New York enters the game as the noticeable favorite with a moneyline of -145. The line for Anaheim sits at +125, and the oddsmakers have set the Over/Under (O/U) at 6 goals (-135 for the over, +115 for the under). After they initially opened at -120 over and +100 under, those lines have shifted.

New York is 18-16 straight up (SU) and has earned moneyline bettors 1.3 units this year. That early-season winning percentage isn’t too far off from to what the team produced during last years regular season (41-41). Through 34 regular season matches, 23 of its games have gone over the total, while 10 have gone under and just one has pushed. This year, the team is 10-5 SU at home.

The Islanders have been able to convert on 21.4 percent of their power play chances this year, a figure that’s good enough for seventh-best in the league. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 32nd overall, and they’ve successfully killed off 72.3 percent of all penalties.

The Islanders, as a collective unit, have been penalized just 3.4 times per game overall this season, and 2.4 per game over their last five matchups home outings. The teams had to stave off opponent power plays for just 7.4 minutes per game over their last 10 matchups, overall.

Boasting a .905 save percentage and 26.1 saves per game, Jaroslav Halak (9-10-1) has been the primary goalkeeper for New York this year. If the Isles decide to give him the night off, however, New York could roll with Thomas Greiss (9-9-9 record, .883 save percentage, 3.83 goals against average).

The Isles will continue to lean on the leadership from Josh Bailey and John Tavares. Bailey (42 points) has tallied 10 goals and 32 assists and has recorded multiple points on 13 different occasions this year. Tavares has 19 goals and 23 assists to his name and has recorded a point in 20 games.

On the other side of the rink, Anaheim is 14-21 straight up (SU) and has lost 5.5 units for moneyline bettors this year. Through 35 regular season outings, 22 of its games have gone under the total, while 12 have gone over and just one has pushed. The Ducks are 6-11 SU as an away team this season.

The Ducks have converted on 17.3 percent of their power play chances this season, a figure that’s right around league average. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked fifth overall and it’s successfully killed off 83.5 percent of all penalties.

Anaheim’s players have been called for penalties 4.7 times per game this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five road outings. The team has had to defend opponent power plays just 8.9 minutes per game over their last 10 outings.

John Gibson (2.88 goals against average and .920 save percentage) has been the primary option in goal for Anaheim. Gibson is averaging 30.9 saves per game and has 10 wins, 17 losses, and five OT losses to his credit.

For the visiting Ducks, the offense will be coordinated by Adam Henrique (eight goals, 14 assists) and Corey Perry (six goals, 16 assists).

Anaheim Ducks vs. New York Islanders Betting Predictions

Predictions: SU Winner – Islanders, O/U – Over

Betting Notes

Two of Anaheim’s last ten games have been decided by a shootout. The team is 0-2 in those games and 2-4 overall in shootouts this season.

The over has hit in four of New York’s last five outings.

Anaheim has managed 28.2 shot attempts per game over its last five road games while New York is averaging 34.0 shots per game over its last five at home.

Six of New York’s last ten contests have been decided by two or more goals, and the team is 1-5 overall in those games.

Anaheim skaters have accounted for the ninth-most hits in the league (23.3 per game), but the teams averaged just 18.0 hits over their last five away games.